Chapter 10- Setting some ground rules
Last night had ended in a complete disarray of chaos. The water tribe and the Kyoshi warrior had marched off in fits of anger and the Earth bender had been sent off to her room to cool down and rest for the night. Mai had excused herself as she was bored and wanted to go to sleep. This left Azula and Zuko.
Both siblings sat at the table soup still warm infant of them. Zuko looked down and shook his head. This wasn't what he wanted, actually the more he thinks about it the less he could think of what he did want.
He wants his sister home. He wants them to be somewhat close again. He wants to make sure she was safe. He wants to make sure she was happy and healthy. He wants to protect his little sister from the world and to protect the world from his little sister. Zuko doesn't want his friends to hate his sister. Zuko doesn't his sister to hate his friends. Zuko doesn't want any trouble but if he is being honest these are more like wishes then goals and he decides that that only way to get his crazy little sister to fit in a bit more is to set some ground rules.
Azula stays seated at the table tapping her fingers softly against the table. She knows how these things work pull a prank get scolded it was the circle of things and Azula didn't feel like fighting it. This time it would be Zuzu instead of her mother though. Perhaps she would be sent back to the asylum she panicked. She really shouldn't have done this she thought. It was a joke a harmless joke he would understand, right. No he wouldn't he will see what everyone else sees and villainous plot meant to harm and destroy people. This could be the end of her new beginning.
But Zuko didn't yell or scream at Azula he just sat creaky thinking about something. A loud tap from Azula's fingers snapped him back to reality. 'Here we go' Azula thought. But Zuko just sighed a little bit disappointed but also a bit, relieved? Zuko looked up at Azula who had been waiting for a good old talking to.
No, he wasn't going to raise his voice, Zuko thought, It was a joke a childish joke and she will learn to adapt. He blinked slowly hoping to come up with the right words to say. "Look, Azula I know this is going to be hard for you getting along with people isn't really your thing."
Azula's concern softened. 'Was Zuko reasoning with me ? This sure is new.' Azula thinks.
Zuko continues. "When I first meet the Gaang we didn't get along great but I was able to win them over and I don't know if you ever will but I do think that you will be able to tolerate them to some extent and that's all I can hope for right." Zuko seemed to really care maybe this was a good thing. Maybe she would get off free. "But we have to set some ground rules first."
There it is, Azula told herself.
"Number 1. No more pranks, I know you think they are harmless and funny and sometimes they are but there is just so many risks involved and we know how your pranks have spiraled out of control in the past." Azula certainly does not want to relive or think about her past prank failures so this term seems alright. "Secondly, no threatening people and if you could lay off the racist insults and slurs they make you come across a bit brash."
The threat things seemed reasonable but racism that would be hard for Azula though she can manage. "Oh and try not to enrage my friends every-time you see them." Fine maybe not every-time Azula concluded. "Finally, and you're not going to like this one." Azula grimaced. "For the time being I think it's best if you restrain your use of bending when around others."
Azula's shot up. She is not going to be powerless like some sort of loser. "I'm not saying you can't bend and you won't be chi blocked or anything just don't bend when people other than me are around. It scares them and we are trying to get people to like you." Azula sits down. She loves bending more than anything, agreeing to this means she can't train of practice her katas. But it does mean she gets to stay in the palace, in her room, and far far away from that Agni forsaken hospital.
The terms weren't terrible Azula supposes, she still has her freedom and that is more than she can hope for right? Zuko eyebrows raise as if to ask her if she is going to answer.
Azula turns to face Zuko looking him directly in the eye she speaks, "I can agree to those rules but be warned Zuzu I will not hesitant to insult you into the ground you got that." Zuko just gave a small chuckle at the sight of his baby sister trying to sound as tough as she use too. Zuko doesn't know what happened at the asylum but whatever it was it changed his sister whether it was good or bad was yet to be seen.
Azula stood up politely and pushed her chair in. She gave a small bow to the Firelord, no her bother and began to her room. As she reached the exit of the dinning hall she stared straight forward not looking back at Zuzu before almost whispering,
"Thanks Zuzu…" She choked on her words trying to hold back some small amount of shallow tears.
Zuko just gave a puzzled look.
"For not getting mad." Azula finished. "It was…unexpected."
"Thanks for making tonight interesting the prank was pretty funny and Sokka looked ridiculous."
Zuko smiles at his sister who has just turned to leave. He sits at the table for a bit sipping the wine he had been served earlier slowly. Yes, as Fire Lord he is permitted to drink underage though he doesn't of it often. Zuko sets the glass down and stares at his sister's empty chair.
She had changed in some ways. He didn't know how to explain it or what exactly it was but he was different. He thought she would be hostile and cruel towards him for all that he has done to her but she was actually quite understanding and seemed to care about his opinion.
'This was a good thing, wasn't it? It has only been a year since her breakdown how is she better already,' Zuko thinks confused. None of this made sense. This wasn't the Azula he knew. 'No.' He thought. 'Something is wrong. Something happened at the asylum.' What has happened to his sister?
